Keith County commissioners said they will open bids next week for resurfacing work on Lakeview Road and warned the county faces a tight funding timeline that could force rejection of bids if financing is not confirmed.

The timeline matters because, as Road Department staff explained during the meeting, bid documents state the county will accept or reject bids within 30 days of opening. Road Department staff said that if funding is not secured inside that window, “we will have to reject them all and then you will be out of season for paving,” creating a risk that resurfacing cannot be done this year.

The concern was raised in discussion that included County Road Department staff and commissioners. Road staff described the department’s progress — “first time since I’ve been here that we have both mowers, 2 trucks, and every blade in the county working” — and warned of scheduling constraints tied to contracts and the paving season. Staff and commissioners discussed traveling to meet with funding partners and contacting state or regional officials to accelerate a program statement tied to grant or program approval.

Commissioner discussion and staff comments indicated there is local support among landowners for the Lakeview work: a recent public meeting drew several attendees who “were just excited” and many landowners offered help to move the project forward. But staff emphasized the county is “tight on the wire” across multiple paving projects and urged quicker confirmation of funding to avoid having to reject bids and delay work until the next season.

No formal financing decision was made at the meeting. Commissioners and staff said they would continue outreach to legislative and agency contacts and monitor the program statement and funding approvals needed to proceed.

The resurfacing item was listed on the county agenda for the upcoming meeting, when bids will be opened and publicly recorded.